2016 Election

Ronald Reagan's 1980 announcement speech took voters seriously - it let us know his governing philosophy and where he proposed to lead the nation. So how do the 2016 speeches stack up? Today we'll consider how Hillary Clinton's announcement video rates as we introduce the Reaganometer.

Third-wave feminists face a dual determination in assessing Secretary Clinton's 2016 candidacy. First, do they perceive that the American political system is so flawed that the only way to "win” is by sending
in one of the elite’s own (HRC) who will inevitably disappoint on policy but nonetheless break barriers? And, second, can HRC convince third-wave feminists that while she is of the second-wave her policy views are not limited to
liberal feminism alone.

If the Democrats coalesce early
around Clinton and use the head start to frame the election in party and policy-centric terms; as a referendum on Republican Party control of
all three branches of the federal government (a frame that will almost
certainly be abetted by both the performance of the Republican-controlled 114th
Congress and the ongoing GOP nomination circus), then the danger to Democratic
chances of giving Clinton a “free ride” to the November ballot should be
minimal.

Among the many reasons former Massachusetts Governor Mitt
Romney had to smile on election night 2014 was the ascension of Charlie Baker
to Romney’s former office. Those most
interested in another Romney run will want to model Baker’s path from defeat to
renomination to victory.